วันเสาร์ที่ 26 มิถุนายน พ.ศ. 2553

Baan Nong Khao: Weavers' Colorful Wares a Source of Civic Pride

Baan Nong Khao: Weavers' Colorful Wares a Source of Civic Pride
UPDATE : 22 June 2010

Maneeya Dhammataree

While traditional handicrafts representing ‘Thainess’ are held in great esteem, they can easily become restricted to display cabinets and lose their relevance in the modern world. But members of a community called Baan Nong Khao in Kanchanaburi province intend to ensure that their highly original patterned fabric maintains its precious cultural legacy.

A Shield From the Sun
Visitors to Kanchanaburi province may see local people wearing a colorful, traditional form of head covering, designed specifically to protect the wearer’s skin from sun damage. Resembling a kind of balaclava, the garment completely covers the head when worn, although some slits are provided that allow the wearer’s eyes, nostrils and mouth to function normally.

The most outstanding features of the head covering are its patterns and colors. Typically, they are produced in bright colors, such as blue, green, orange, purple and red. Take a closer look and you’ll see that these highly original items are made by adapting a locally-produced loincloth, which features the distinctive pattern referred to earlier.

Nationwide Recognition
I recently got the opportunity to visit the village of Baan Nong Khao, where the colorful textile is produced.


The folks from Baan Nong Khao have earned a good deal of renown nationally for their weaving skills, which they use to produce this refined form of fabric. The fabric was originally used to produce traditional loincloths, which more recently became known as Pa Khao Ma Roi See, or '100-colored loincloths'. But the textile itself is actually known as Pa Ta Jak, which derives from Ta Jak, the Thai word for zigzag.

Sixty-five-year-old Makob Buchaleoy, known as Pa ('Auntie') Makob, is the leader of the weavers at Baan Nong Khao. Wearing a traditional, Thai-style, tailored vest made from this distinctive textile, Auntie Makob described how important the cloth is among members of the local community.

Unique Appeal
Auntie Makob says she has worn traditional clothes made from Pa Ta Jak since she was a young child. During those times, her parents would only wear clothes made from the cloth at home once they had completed their regular daily farming duties. The material would only be sold to traders in the case that supplies exceeded demand.

“The fabric's most outstanding quality is that it is has a delicate, shiny look – like silk – even though it's produced using cotton thread alone,” she says.

The excellent quality of the final product is down to the skilled weavers, according to Auntie Makob. Since each thread is woven extremely tightly, this provides a high level of loom stability, ensuring that the texture is silky smooth. Another interesting feature is that the surface of the cloth features a curved surface by means of using layers of different thicknesses.

A Pragmatic Approach
At one time, members of the community were able to complete the whole process 'in house'. This included separating the fiber from the cotton seed, spinning the thread and weaving the fabric. The cotton thread spun by the weavers at Baan Nong Khao tended to be more durable than the factory-produced thread, according to Auntie Makob. Nevertheless, although the group would prefer to use handmade thread, the cost involve means that it is prohibitive, so they used factory-produced thread these days.

Pa Ta Jak was originally produced in a natural cotton color, but after some time a basic form of dyeing was introduced.

“We dyed the cloth in boiling water using the bark from an ebony tree rather than dyeing the thread beforehand,” Auntie Makob points out, adding that the bark produces a nice, rich black color.


The term '100-colored loincloth' is a more recent phenomenon, according to Auntie Makob, who says that the phrase came about once chemical dyes came to the fore. The use of multicolored threads therefore produces the colorful zigzag patterns that gave rise to the fabric's name.

Product Diversification
As Pa Ta Jak gained increasing recognition among members of the public, several new lines have been introduced, including bags, scarves and shirts. However, the community continues to recognize the importance of the fabric at a local level as it is still worn by men before and after being ordained into the monkhood, representing an important part of the religious ritual among villagers.

Transport Connections:
Car:
From Bangkok, head west on Highway 4. Shortly after reaching Nakhon Pathom, switch on to Highway 323. On reaching Kanchanaburi, take Highway 324. The village is located just off this highway and is signposted.

Kärcher 2.640-729 O-Ring Set für ...
Alles-Sauger Aero 20-11
Bosch 103teiliges X-line Set Titanium
Makita 6271DWAET2 Akkuschrauber Set 55tlg. ...
Metabo 630425000 Schrauben Bits 71tlg. Bit-...
Kärcher 1.723-700 Nass- und Trockensau...
Mannesmann 98430 Steckschlüsselsatz 0,...
Famex 723-50 Mechaniker Werkzeugkoffer Komp...
Makita HR 5000 K Bohrhammer mit 19 mm Sechskant-Aufnahme
Makita JR 3060 T Elektronik-Reciprosäge
Black & Decker KA900E-QS Powerfeile 350W
Black & Decker BDS303-XJ 3in1 Dedektor
Black & Decker HP126F3K Akku-Bohrschrauber 12V
Black & Decker GS2200 Leisehäcksler 2200W
Bosch 103teiliges X-line Set Titanium
Bosch 70 teiliges X-line Set Titanium
Bosch 30 teiliges X-line Set Titanium
Bosch 78221 DMF 10 Zoom Metallortungsgerät
Bosch Lasernivelliergerät PLL 5
Bosch 78425 PLR 30 Laser-Entfernungsmesser
Mannesmann 29065 Haushalt-Werkzeugsortiment im praktischen Koffer
Mannesmann Schnellstartsystem
Mannesmann 92568 Zubehörset für Kleinbohrmaschinen, 200-teilig
Mannesmann 29024 Werkzeugsatz, 24-teilig im Alukoffer
Mannesmann 1799-18 Akku-Bohrschrauber, 18 Volt, 18-teilig
Mannesmann 12596 Bohr- und Meisselhammer, 1500 Watt, 3 Funktionen
Mannesmann 28262 Werkstattwagen, Oberteil mit Werkzeugen bestückt
Severin Toastofen TO 2028
Severin RG 2341 Raclette-Partygrill mit Nat...
Severin PG 2792 Barbecue-Grill schwarz
Severin AT 2515 Automatik-Langschlitztoaste...
SEVERIN KA 5155 Kaffee-Padautomat schwarz ...
Severin WK 3314 Wasserkocher 1,7 ltr.Schwar...
Severin MW 9715 Mikrowelle, 30 Liter Garrau...
Severin HM 3823 Handmixer STIWA gut
Severin EK 3060 Eierkoch-Automat Edelst.-ge...
SEVERIN KA 5155 Kaffee-Padautomat schwarz Testsieger Stiftung Warentest 12/2009 Gut (2,2)
Severin KA 4031 Kaffeeautomat Timer schwarz
Severin MW 7817 Mikrowelle mit Grill und Heißluftfunktion, 800 Watt, 21 Liter Garraum
Severin KA 9208 Kaffeemaschine
Severin TO 9260 Tisch-Backofen mit Umluftfunktion / silber
Severin Milchaufschäumer SM9669

ไม่มีความคิดเห็น:

แสดงความคิดเห็น